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Russets offense comes alive in 12-5 win over Soda Springs

SHELLEY – After a season opening 12-2 loss at Malad on Friday, the Shelley Lady Russets looked to get back on track in their home opener against Soda Springs on Saturday afternoon.
Under a bright blue sky the Russets sent Madi Ball into the circle to try and shut down a pesky Soda Springs squad.
But just four batters into the game the Russets found themselves trailing 2-0, but Ball settled down in the circle and the Russets offense scored five runs in their first two at bats and seven runs in their last two at bats on the way to a 12-5 win over the Cardinals.
Ball pitched herself into a bit of trouble right from the start as she walked Cardinals pitcher and lead off hitter Katelyn Monk. A few pitches later Sierra Woods ripped a double to left field driving home Monk for the first run of the game.
After a strikeout Harper Gibbs laced a double to left field driving in Woods and just four batters into the game Soda Springs led 2-0. After another strikeout the Cardinals loaded the bases with two outs. But Ball got Jess Kennedy to strike out looking to end the inning.
It did not take long for the Russets to get those runs back in the bottom half of the first inning.
Carly Nelson led off the inning with a bunt single. Jennifer Richards singled home Nelson three pitches later. Two batter later Abigail Higham drove home Richards to tie the game at 2-2.
Richards was far from done driving in runs for the Russets on the day. With two outs and runners on first and second Richards smoked a ball that appeared when it left the bat that it was going to carry over the right center field fence. But the light afternoon breeze slowed the ball down as it one hoped to the right center field fence driving home Laura Pyrah and Emily Goodworth to give Shelley the lead for good.
Soda Springs would close the gap to 5-4 after picking up single runs in the third and fourth innings, But Shelley took control of the game again the fifth when they added three more runs.
Pyrah and Kylee Ball each had RBI hits in the inning.
In their final atbat of the day the Russets had their best offensive inning of the game.
In the bottom of the sixth Shelley tallied four runs and six hits including a stretch of five consecutive hits to end up with their 12-5 final.
Richards tripled to start the hit parade. She came home to score on a triple by Ball. Higham and Pyrah each added RBI hits in the inning.
Richards and Pyrah each finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBI.
Ball finished with a complete game in the circle striking out 10 in the win.
Shelley (1-1) hosts Firth on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.